Death and Tide

[VisAnastasis]

Cernunnos tensed up - it was easier for him to remain calm and pretend nothing is wrong and that this isn't frightening terrifying situation while holding onto the little snake as one does to some lingering sense of normalcy. He didn't have yet time to respond, as Tide spoke up, looking at the little creature thoughtfully.

" What did you have in mind? " he asked Death. " I had been considering something too, so, if we have enough time right now before I hopefully go out... I was actually thinking that we perhaps could try to do something together, better than I could on my own... "

[Mirach]

"Well, since I can't heal this Spirit way, I wanted to do what a human healer would, at least," Death said.

[VisAnastasis]

" We'd need a bit of time to do it properly, but I think we could do better than just that if we combine what we know best. " Tide whispered, but he appeared firmer in his choice as if it was something he's taken this time since they came here to consider and decided on. " Our kind host's soul... It's too hurt, too butchered. If we tried to fill all the holes, it'd take too much of me, and it would be too uncomfortable for him to exist with so many additions, as the wounds are too numerous and small. Nobody would win.  But there are three rather big holes in the soul of the leg that support it that, if we fill them, we should be able to undo what we've broken, I think. " he glanced at him meaningfully. " It is normally a painful process, as one can imagine, to sew in a piece of someone else's soul and body into yourself, and I'd not dare do it at night when he's weakest... But your ability to dull the pain is remarkable, unlike any I've seen before. I can't sew when my hand is like this, too, but if you could dull my pain as well as Cernunnos's in the same time, we could do a much better job than I could alone. While I am burned like this, I couldn't hold a needle properly without my hands shaking in pain, so I don't really know if I could do this if you're not up to it... I could also use a spare pair of hands... It'd be good for someone to support the leg in the right position while I work. "

[Mirach]

"Yes, I can dull the pain for both of you," Death said. "But the rest is something you both need to agree on."

[VisAnastasis]

" Of course. I just wanted to make sure you'd be willing to help me, to see if it's an offer I can make. And since it is... " he turned to the tense looking nature Spirit. " Would you please accept this gift? I'd not offer it if I was not fully sure I want it, and after I've brought this upon you, I couldn't possibly leave you like this..."
The creature looked at him seriously, appearing hesitant.
" Even if you could do what you say, I... I couldn't possibly ask for so much... "
" It's not much. It's just righting the wrong I've did. " Tide said softly. " There is a quicker and less risky option, which would be to cut off wounded part of your leg and to replace it with equal size of my own so that you can manifest a healthy leg. People I've given to before generally prefer to keep as big part of their original self as possible, so it'd be your choice which you prefer... I'm alright with both...  "
" Are you sure you're alright? " the creature asked a little hesitantly still as if warming up a little to the idea, but not quite trustful yet, as it didn't understand it. " It seems to me first is better, you'd be losing less... "
" No, the second one is actually more fun. Or at least more interesting. " Tide grinned a little bit. " That is, it'd be more interesting if you'd consider an exchange, not just a gift. You give me to eat your wounded leg, I give you a leg that's whole and healthy... It takes longer for you to heal up, but once you do, you'll have no pain. As for me, I'll have a new little part that will smoothen out soon and become a happy bubbly part of me. And who knows, I've never had a part of high-level nature Being in my making. " he looked a little thoughtful. " Maybe I'll gain a new sweet blessing or trick. Those are always as hard to predict as fun... Once I exchanged a palm with wounded air Spirit, and he hoped that maybe I'll be able to learn to bend wind to my will and create storms and tornadoes...  " he chuckled at the memory. " It was too little part, though, but I am able to move the air around me just enough to make my cloak sway even if there's no wind and to be able to blow away people's hats if they're not tightly put, which is quite a great tradeoff all in all. "

[Mirach]

"That sounds interesting, but is it a good idea to do this before a possible fight?" Death asked. "If it would weaken you, maybe it would be wiser to to it afterwards..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Perhaps... But I am just afraid that... if I die anyway I won't get a chance to do it on time before we have to run further. " Tide whispered." I would like to make sure I help while I can..."

" But your friend is right. It's too risky. I won't have my guest die because he helped me. It shan't make me happy. " Cernunnos decided then, as Death's words had their weight." You both let guilt get the better of you. Kind Tide, you cleared my home, and thanks to you I shall see my son more again. I wish... To exchange with you, if so you wish tryly, but not before you are safe. Kind little snake..." He smiled frailly turning to Death, hesitant like trying out new language" I don't know how you decided to come here at my door from all places... But you thought kindly of me. I wouldn't be thinking even this clearly without your aid. You didn't do a lesser evil to me... You did me good. You don't have to treat me like a human healer. If you care for my feelings... Then just stay with me tonight, as you are. " He whispered little hoarsely." I don't know, but I feel so, so bitterly cold... But it feels warm for some reason when you are close... "

[Mirach]

"Alright," Death said gently. "I will stay in this form, if you like it more."

[VisAnastasis]

" It feels warm. And it's a snake, and... it's familiar... It's safe... " creature whispered quietly, and hesitantly, it caressed the little creature again, as if frailly seeking for support.

[Mirach]

Death moved his head to meet the caressing hand, as if seeking the same comfort in pain as Cernunnos did.

[VisAnastasis]

Poor thing seemed relieved at that, and he appeared to be rather touch starved, as he always tried to avoid contact with anyone not to harm them with his miasma. Right now though, soothed in pain from Death and calmed by Tide's presence, he didn't secrete any, and so he indulged in touch he lacked so much, caressing little creature with his gentle knowing hands, as if under nervousness and after traumatic experience it was reassuring to him to have a close contact with someone again, and he felt safe with snakes.

[Mirach]

With the healing and concern, Death was distracted from his own pain and irritation that flying head-first into miasma caused in his wounds. Now he had no such distraction, but Cernunnos' caresses had a soothing effect on his snake form. Despite that, he was still a bit tense as he waited for the outcome of the battle.

[VisAnastasis]

It was similar with Cernunnos - he also was tense, not knowing how the battle will pass, and not knowing what he'd prefer, the shadows to be destroyed, something that he could barely mentally comprehend after being tormented with them for so long, or for the hunter to survive and to be a great danger to his companions. Unlike Death, he at least had a distraction in the handling of the little thing, and he fondled and cared for it while they waited quietly, finding comfort in holding him close and nestling with him like a child whose nights are full of nightmares has with a soft comforting stuffed toy.

[Mirach]

Finally, as the apprach of dawn weakened the shadows, the spirit managed to overcome and defeat them (5 against 2).

[VisAnastasis]

Cernunnos shook throughout his whole body with the sudden sensation, shaking just like the land below and around them shook, and wind howled loud and fiercely against the walls in that moment. He was trembling, appearing lost and confused, as if some terrible suffocating weight lifted from his shoulders, but so sharply and suddenly that he stumbled, not knowing how to deal.

" He... He did it... " He whispered hoarsely in astonishment." He really did it..." He said, and Tide's face tensed up and grew serious.
" It's time for me to go then..."

[Mirach]

Death pressed his lips together. "Yes," he whispered. "Is there a window from which we can see the situation first?" he asked. "Or a way for Tide to get into the water without being seen, while I make his illusion walk through the front gate?"

[VisAnastasis]

" We don't have any windows. We bricked all windows down tightly long ago, to close down fort fully from the outside world so nothing can slip into the fort through any cracks, and so protective spells can be this strong... " Cernunnos said hoarsely, trying to think of the possibilities, looking suddenly unsure and grasping onto Tide's sleeve, fearing he'll lose him. " Maybe... Maybe I could distract him for you? " he asked hopefully. " Maybe he will think I am another monster. I could project my mind outside as Emil told you. I could maybe lure him to follow me and pretend I'm attacking... Give diversion so Tide can attack. That sword, it, it's too scary. Tide could die if he stabs him, but me it will just bring the pain... Just that... I... I can do it... "

[Mirach]

"I could also make an illusion of you, with you being inside the fort," Death said. "Or even an illusion if both of you."

[VisAnastasis]

" I don't think I can walk like this, for you to have use of illusion of my real body... " Creature was hesitant, but then it looked thoughtful, and bit his lip before he offered. " Or wouldn't it be helpful, actually?" he whispered. " If I look confused and hurt to him as I walk seemingly toward the water to wash myself, he'd be more tempted to try to attack me... He won't see an act, after all. Maybe it's misplaced in place, but he'd still see me as I am... It may tempt him to go after me if he thinks I am a fellow victim of the shadows that is dying and that he only has to finish me off. "

[Mirach]

"Possibly..." Death saud slowly. "Tide should use the moment when he is distracted and slip into the water."

[VisAnastasis]

" I'll leave my cloak to you, so you can tell me through it when I should slip into it. Through it, we can remain in touch. " Tide said as he was putting both him and Cernunnos at armchair on their own, slipping out to so he could stand up. The wounded demon hissed a little with the movement and held onto his sleeve vulnerably, but he let go of it in the end. " When you say the air is clear, I-ll slip through the door and into the river quietly. If... if I don't return, lock the door behind me and don't go out. I don't want to carry the key with me in case I am overpowered and the hunter gets an idea to find out where the key is from.  "

[Mirach]

"Alright... are you ready?"Death asked both demons.

[VisAnastasis]

Both nodded, both appearing scared in their own way, but determined not to let each other get hurt. Tide put his cloak beside the snake and turned to leave with a hasty step.
" Alright, we don't have time to lose. We can't let him fly away with that sword. I will be standing by the door in a moment. Tell me when I should go out and I shall!" He instructed them, and he quickened his pace, knowing they can't risk blowing this chance to retrieve the object.

[Mirach]

"Can you sense the situation?" Death asked Cernunnos. "I need to know where it would be best to project the illusion..."

[VisAnastasis]

" You can't see anything either? It's up to me? Okay... " creature bit his lip, focusing. " He looks... so strong. He's covered with a lot of blood, though. He is approaching the river, but he is very alert and focused on it... I think he might be wary if there might be other shadows in it... "